VIDEO: Woman arrested for attacking traffic police officer

Police at Jinja Bus Station are detaining a woman for assaulting a traffic police officer after she was asked to provide her driver’s license.

A stunning altercation took place yesterday when Mercy Timbitwire Bashisha, driving a white Toyota Land Cruiser, allegedly caused an accident and refused to stop when flagged down by a traffic police officer from the Jinja Highway Police Station.

The incident happened around 11:55 am, according to a police statement.

“She was using her phone while driving and refused to stop even after the officer signaled her to stop. After a brief chase, Bashisha parked at the Uganda Manufacturers Association and locked the vehicle. aggressive,” the statement reads in part.

“She not only refused to cooperate, but also intimidated and assaulted our officer,” the statement further reads.

The situation worsened when Bashisha confiscated the police’s EPS device and two phones belonging to the officer.

Bashisha is currently under detention while investigations continue.

This is not an isolated incident of traffic police officers being assaulted by civilians and fellow officers while on duty.

In May 2022, a military officer was filmed harassing a traffic officer, dragging him by the collar, in a fight over a traffic jam near the Mukwano Shopping Center in Kampala. The fight occurred after some soldiers who were driving a green vehicle ordered the traffic officer to clear the way for them. The officer, however, told them to be patient.

In December 2022, Kitgum District Police Commander (DPC), Suwed Manshur, was beaten by citizens after he allegedly slapped a police officer. This happened after he resisted arrest for violating a traffic policy that requires motorcyclists to wear a helmet and reflective jacket.